The "M.P.'s" and the "L.I.'s."

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6038, 21 September 1887, Page 4

The "M.P.'s" and the " L.l.'s."

[From the Lyttelton Times.}

An elaborate list has been prepared by the Opposition newspaper here wherein candidates are parcelled out in divisions somewhat resembling sheep pens. Mystic letters appear against each candidate's name to signify to the intelligent elector the way each will go. Those Ministerial candidates who have avowed themselves Protectionists are marked M.P. As M.P. usually signifies Member of Parliament, we congratulate our contemporary on having chosen so felicitous and prophetic a designation. Again, we observe that the letters L.I. are placed against certain other names not among the M.P.'s. L.I. is more mystic and unfamiliar to us than M.P., though, when pronounced together, the letters seem indeed to have a certain smack of Opposition professions. We find their applicato be to those peculiar candidates "who will not go the length of saying that they are Protectionists, but profess themselves ready to support Local Industries." Bravo L.I. ! It is a phonetic way of putting it, but there can be no doubt of the expressiveness of the letters, especially when printed in capitals. Among the L.l.'s we note Sir John Hall, Mr Wright, and Mr Henry Thomson: better and better still! Mr Garrick, we observe, ia classed as Opposition ; but only the other day Mr Garrick raged with a fury which, we charitably imputed to suppressed gout because the Lyttelton Times had dared to put

against his name that O which the Opposition organ has now put. What will the ex-member for St Albans do now? Will he bring an action for libel against the erring newspaper, which, by the way, is owned and managed by his partner and several leading St Albanians — friends of his ? That would lead to interesting complications.